Poll

Today's News

During his basketball career, McKendree University senior Eric Hobbie made everyone sit up and take notice of him.

There are a lot of players who have accomplished that particular feat, but not many can claim that they have garnered attention on the national scene since their freshman year. The former Vandalia superstar can make that claim.

While his college career is officially in the books, Hobbie will be getting more awards in the upcoming months.

The Fayette County Retired Teachers Association is offering a scholarship to a student who will be a senior in 2011-12 and is attending an Illinois college.
To be eligible, students must:
• Be an education major.
• Be a graduate of a Fayette County high school.
• Fill out an application.
• Include an essay with their application.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is April 20.
To apply, contact Billyanna Dugan, president of the group, at 317 W. Randolph St., Vandalia; phone, 283-0642.

Kayla Bell (second from left) was honored at The Illinois Principal’s Association student recognition breakfast on Wednesday, March 23 at Greenville College.

Bell is a senior Vandalia student and attends New Approach High School. She is on target to graduate in May and plans to pursue the nursing field following graduation. Annually, students are recognized for their leadership, character and overall pursuit of personal excellence at the IPA event. Kayla attended the ceremony with her principal, Laura Benhoff (left), and two teachers, Emily Nelson and Jessica Sefton.

BROWNSTOWN – Bryce Mason did just about everything for the Bombers last Thursday.

The senior shortstop stole two bases, scored a run, drove in the winning run and relayed an outfield assist to home plate that gunned down a Christ Our Rock Lutheran runner for the third out to stave off a potential rally.

All of that helped secure a 2-1 Brownstown victory.

“That was a big momentum shift for one team or the other,” coach Ken Milano said of the assist. “Our guys made it a big momentum play for us.”

Vandalia Community High School last Friday presented a play titled "A-Haunting We Will Go." The two-act play included a cast of about 20 students. In the first photo, Chelsey Stewart gestures while Stephanie Boas, left, Ellie Ehrat, center, and Olivia Bowen look on. In the second photo, Ehrat reads while Tanner Opfer watches. The play was directed by Melissa Dreas and Marissa Dunn.

Bids from contractors interested in building the all-weather track at Vandalia Community High School were "a bit higher than expected," but Superintendent Rich Well said he doesn’t believe that will slow down the main construction.

Well said the school hoped to have bids below $500,000, which is how much it received in grant money for the project, so the leftover dollars could be used to purchase pole vault and high jump equipment.